River Run 2012. Native rights now. No mercury, no clearcuts.
Please join us in Toronto for River Run 2012, where we’ll continue a tradition of community lead action for justice—for our people, and for the protection of the water, air, and forests that give life to us all.
Photos of River Run 2012 events
MEDIA
See a compilation of media reports from River Run 2012.
CBC The Current: Mercury Poisoning in Grassy Narrows Reserve
REPORT BACK FROM RIVER RUN 2012:
Grassy Narrows River Run Flows Through Toronto. Lets keep the heat on McGuinty.
FACT SHEETS
Mercury Poisoning of Grassy Narrows and Whitedog communities
Public Statements on Grassy Narrows
Clearcut Logging and Mercury Poisoning: Linked threats to Grassy Narrows
PRESS RELEASES
Read the media advisory here.
June 4, 2012 – NEW REPORT: Impacts of mercury poison still rampant in Grassy Narrows
June 5, 2012– Grassy Narrows Youth Walk Arrives in Toronto for River Run 2012
June 6, 2012 – McGuinty invited to Grassy Narrows fish fry at Queen's Park
June 8, 2012 – RELEASE: Hundreds march with Grassy Narrows for clean water and justice
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT
Dr. Harada's report: Mercury Poisoning in First Nations Groups in Ontario, Canada
OTHER SOURCES
More photos from River Run 2012
Grassy Narrows fisherman convicted of selling tainted fish
Mercury Concentrations in Fish From Forest Harvesting and Fire Impacted Candian Boreal Lakes
CBC archives on Grassy Narrows mercury issue
Previous health study by Dr. Harada, available in English for the first time. Published in Japanese in 2005.
See the featured analysis on CBC The National. April 5, 2010.
Read an academic article with historical details about the mercury poisoning and the original negotiations, 1987.
To endorse, donate, support, or for more information contact us at: 2012riverrun@gmail.com and Join Us On Facebook!
Help us spread the word using the River Run poster, flyer, or email callout!
River Run 2012 Events
SPEAKING EVENT WITH JUDY DA SILVA, DR. HANADA, JOANNE WEBB, AND LEE MARACLE
Tuesday June 5, 6:30 p.m. Steelworker's Hall, 25 Cecil Street, Toronto
FISH FRY
Wednesday June 6th, Noon. Queen's Park south lawn.
MARCH AND RALLY WITH GRASSY NARROWS
Friday June 8, Noon.Grange Park (behind the Art Gallery of Ontario on Beverly)
Over 40 years ago our people were poisoned by mercury from a paper mill that contaminated our river upstream. Our people are demanding justice because we are still dealing with the ongoing health impacts of this avoidable disaster. It’s an inescapable truth that this poison will affect everyone if we don’t stand together to protect our water.
For decades the GNAA community members have been on the front lines of the movement to defend the earth and to uphold Indigenous self-determination, culture and spirituality. We have kicked out logging giant Abitibi for now, but there is still much work to be done.
Joining in River Run 2012 is a great opportunity to show your support and to join us in the fight to protect Indigenous rights and the water, air, land, and creatures that we all depend on.
Migwetch
Grassy Narrows Asubpeeschoseewagong Women's Drum Group
BACKGROUND: (more information here)
On April 6, 1970 the government of Ontario banned fishing on the Wabigoon River due to mercury contamination from a pulp mill in Dryden. Overnight unemployment in GNAA went from to 10% to 90%, a primary food staple was lost, and the devastating neurological health impacts of mercury poisoning set in.
At the time the government said it would take months for the mercury to wash out of the river system.
Forty years later, in 2010, a newly translated Japanese study on the health of GNAA residents showed that while mercury levels were going down, the health impacts of mercury poisoning in GNAA are worse now than they were in the 70's.
Now a new report confirms these findings and reveals even more of the truth.
This has huge consequences for GNAA and neighbouring communities. It also has important implications for everyone about the long term cumulative health impacts of chroic low level mercury exposure.
The study indicates that Health Canada safety guidelines for mercury consumption are not strong enough to protect us from the nearly universal mercury contamination still being spread by coal fired power plants, incinerators, mine tailings, and other industrial processes.
Now is the time to act! Demand justice for our people, and protection for the water!